Minor Pentatonic Scales Over II-Valt-I Sequence - 5 Jazz Guitar Licks

In this lesson we will see how to use the minor pentatonic scale over a II-Valt-I sequence. The principle is simple, it consists in playing three minor pentatonic scales spaced apart of 1 semitone one from the other. This way you will bring out interesting colors to your jazz lines.

II chord: Playthe minor pentatonic scale starting on the 5th degree of the II chord. This way you will highlight the fifth (5), the minor seventh (b7), the root (R), the ninth (9) and the eleventh (11) of the minor II chord. (Exemple for Cm7 play G- pentatonic).

V chord : Play the minor pentatonic scale up a half step starting on the #9 of the V7alt chord (Ab-pentatonic over F7alt for example). Therefore, you will play the main altered tones of the V7alt namely #9, #11, b13, b7, b9.

I chord : Play the minor pentatonic up a half step again starting on the 7th of the I maj7#11 (Example with A minor penta for Bbmaj7#11). Thus, giving the 7, 9, 3, #11 and the thirteenth of the I chord.

II-Valt-I sequence and pentatonic scales

Let's take a Bb major II-Valt-I sequence. We have two chords : Cm7 (II), F7 (V) and Bbmaj7(I).

We will be playing a G minor pentatonic scale over Cm7 (II). G is the Vth degree of Cm7. As you can see in the chart below, playing Gm penta over Cm7 will bring two interesting tones, the ninth (9) and the eleventh (11).

G-pentatonic formula

G

Bb

C

D

F

Interval names against Cm7

5

b7

R

9

11

On the V chord (F7), we will be playing play another minor pentatonic scale a semitone up the previous pentatonic (Gm). Then, we will be playing play Abm penta for F7. It will bring tension because of the altered tones #9, #11, b13, b7, b9.

Ab-pentatonic formula

Ab

B

Db

Eb

Gb

Interval names against F7

#9

#11

b13

b7

b9

On the I chord (Bbmaj7), we will be playing the third minor pentatonic scale which, is a semitone up the previous (Ab) and logically two semitones up the first (Gm). So, we will be playing Am pentatonic scale over Bbmaj7 in order to get the 7, 9, 3, #11 and 13th of the I chord.

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